The sun hovered high, casting short shadows over the narrow alleys behind the training complex. Jenna's footsteps were swift, her breath quick as she tried to escape the rising noise of the crowd chasing behind her.
Suddenly—a hand gripped her wrist.
"Wha—" she gasped, but before the word could leave her mouth—
"Shh…"
Rico's voice was a breath against her ear as he pulled her into a small, shadowed crevice between two buildings. The walls were so tight that their shoulders nearly touched. Jenna froze, her heart racing from more than just the crowd.
He peered out, scanning the edge of the alley. The distant noise faded. "They're gone," Rico finally said with a sigh of relief.
Jenna blinked at him, confused. "You...?" she began.
But Rico answered before the question fully formed.
"I came here to visit an old friend," he said casually, looking at her with that soft, almost teasing smile. "I didn't follow you, I promise."
Jenna's mind should've been focused on escaping—but her thoughts betrayed her. He's too close… too close…
Her gaze briefly dropped to his lips. Yesterday's kiss…
She turned bright red.
"Why are your cheeks so red?" Rico asked, clearly amused.
Jenna's eyes widened. "W-What? I—I'm not—" She scrambled for another topic.
But Rico leaned in just slightly, smirking. "Are you thinking about yesterday's ki—"
Before he could finish, Jenna clapped a hand over his mouth, face on fire.
"Don't you dare say it!"
He laughed softly against her palm. She quickly lowered her hand, flustered. "H-How are we getting out of here anyway?" she muttered.
Without answering, Rico reached into his bag and pulled out a blue hoodie. "Wear this," he said. "It'll cover you up—no one will recognize you."
She hesitated, but he smiled again, this time more gently. "Trust me."
Jenna nodded, slipping into the hoodie. "Now you can go," Rico said, stepping back. "They won't notice you anymore."
As she walked away into the daylight, blending with the passersby, Rico stood there quietly, watching her silhouette disappear.
A faint smile lingered on his lips.
---
Next Day — Manager's Office, Private Room
Rico sat casually on the couch, arms behind his head.
His manager wasn't so relaxed.
"Rico! Look here!" the manager shouted, slapping a tabloid photo onto the desk. "What is this?! AGAIN with the rumors?! Where were you yesterday?! Tell me honestly! Not some sugar-coated excuse."
"I told you," Rico said coolly. "I went to visit a friend."
The manager snorted. "Then who is this?" He pointed to the picture showing Rico dragging a girl—clearly Jenna—into a hidden alley.
Rico avoided eye contact.
"You think your fans are blind? Even with a mask, they know it's you!" the manager snapped. "I already told you—don't involve yourself with Jenna's matter! If you like her, then keep it secret. I don't want scandals!"
Rico blinked slowly. "So… if I like her, I should keep it hidden?"
He smiled faintly.
The manager sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're hopeless…"
Turning away from Rico, he added, "I'm sending you abroad for a week. Stay quiet. We'll handle this mess. When it's safe, we'll call you back."
Rico said nothing. His smile faded. He nodded slowly, almost thoughtfully.
---
Meanwhile — Dance Studio
Ameya is Practicing in studio. Suddenly, she got a message from Michael
Michael: Did you see the news about Jenna?
Ameya: What news?
Michael sent a link. It showed the same photo—Rico pulling Jenna into the alley.
Ameya gasped.
Michael: Don't let Jenna see this. She'll be upset.
Ameya: But she has a phone! What if she sees it herself?
Michael: Then distract her. Please. I'm not the only one worried. Rico is too.
He added a smile emoji.
Ameya: Okay… I'll try.
Just then, she noticed Jenna scrolling through her phone in the corner of dance studio.
"Wait—Jenna!" Ameya rushed to her and quickly snatched the phone from her hands.
"Hey! What the—" Jenna stared, startled. "Why did you grab my phone?!"
"I—I just wanted to see our backstage group selfie," Ameya said awkwardly. "Some photos didn't reach me…"
"But I already sent it to you," Jenna said, narrowing her eyes.
"No—I mean—some are missing…" Ameya stammered.
Before the tension could grow, Sofie stepped in. "Jenna, did you kno—"
Ruby quickly elbowed her. "Nothing! Nothing important."
Linda also nodded quickly. "Yeah, just… nothing."
Jenna eyed all of them suspiciously. "Are you hiding something from me?"
All three replied at once, "No!"
Right then, Jenna's phone rang. Her manager was calling.
She stepped aside to take it.
The moment she was gone, Ameya exhaled sharply. "Do you all know?"
Linda nodded. "Rico messaged us last night. Asked us not to let it reach her."
Sofie shrugged, "I didn't get the message. Almost spilled everything…"
Ruby gave her a look. "Let's just be careful."
---
Later – SuperNova's Manager Office
"Come in," said the manager.
Jenna stepped in and greeted him politely.
"Would you like a break?" he asked.
Jenna blinked. "Sorry… a break?"
"You asked for a week off, remember?"
"I… did?" she murmured. Did I forget something? But her gut told her and she thought May be...Real Jenna...she hadn't asked anything.
Still, she said, "I don't need one right now."
But the manager chuckled. "Take it. You'll be too busy soon when our next album drops."
Jenna hesitated, then nodded. "Okay…"
---
Afternoon – Dormitory
Jenna i.e real Ameya packed her bag in silence. She was preparing to go to "her" house—Jenna's house—but her hands trembled.
That's not my real home… That's not my real family…
Still, there was no other option.
She was alone now—the others were all at the studio.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang. Jenna rolled her eyes and muttered, "Real Jenna again? Ugh."
She stomped toward the door and flung it open.
"Why did you ask for a week o—" she stopped.
It wasn't real Jenna.
It was Rico.
She froze. He looked a little tired but still charming as ever.
"They gave me the week off," he said softly. "I didn't ask."
Ameya—Jenna—blinked. Her throat tightened.
She nodded slowly, unsure what to say, unsure what came next.
---
---